How Can I Arrange Furniture in a Small Place?

Paint the walls with light colors. Light colors make a space seem more open.

Look for furniture whose color matches your wall color. For example, paint wood furniture and look for pieces such as the couch or side chair that has fabric of the same color. Because the furniture blends in with the wall, the space won't look broken up. This makes a room appear larger.

Hang mirrors on the walls. Mirrors add more light to a room by reflecting the light that's already in there. Additionally, mirrors reflect the room back, creating of the illusion of more space.

Position the furniture away from the walls to create a sense of space. Lay a throw rug on the floor and place the furniture around it, making sure to leave a walkway behind pieces like the couch, a bench and armchairs.

Create more floor space by building a loft with work or living space underneath. Place a mattress for a bed on top or use the top of the loft for a sitting area if the ceiling is high enough. Store your work desk or other furniture in the space below.

Use nesting tables beside your bed or couch. Pull out the smaller tables if you need more table space to set drinks or books on. Push them back into place when you don't.

Choose pieces of furniture that you can use for more than one function. For example, a trunk at the foot of your bed doubles as a sitting bench or as a coffee table in the living room.

Go with a daybed instead of a couch for a small studio. The daybed will work as both a bed and a couch.

Install a floor to ceiling bookcase. Buy baskets to store items such as your kids' crayons and coloring books, knitting supplies or games.